After nineteen years of making paintball markers, you could think, " What's next?" The makers of the BushMaster SI, ProMaster SI, Panther, Puma, Bobcat, ThunderCat, AlleyCat, Desert Fox, BushMaster 2000, B2K, and the BKO bring to play the next evolution, the FREESTYLE!

The Freestyle is a new evolutionary concept marker. It is a single bore design that has many incredible features (No Sally, its not another spool valve.) The Freestyle is extremely lightweight at 1.8lbs. The marker is very small measuring less than eight inches tall from the feed tube to grip (6.5 inches from top of body to grip) and the body is 7 3/8 inches long. It is an amazingliy fast, quick whipping electro-pneumatic gun. The Freestyle is not a toy, it is a serious shooter for the serious shooter.

Among its many features, these are the top:

Paintball Detection System (aka PDS)
Illuminated Toggle On/Off Switches for operation and the PDS
Ergonomically Profiled Grip
Amazingly Fast CPS
"Cocker" barrel thread pattern
Fade anodizing in four patterns
Four-way adjustable trigger
Low Pressure operation
Dual Regulation
Low Profile Gauge
Clamping Feed Neck with 3D milling
Easy to Install 9 volt battery
Drop Forward and On/Off included
Easy disassembly
12 inch Ported Barrel
One key note of interest is the Paint Detection System (aka PDS.) Unlike most markers with a paint detection system the Indian Creek Design markers use a beam break system instead of a reflective beam system. This means no more worries about dark shelled paints or bolts. With the break beam PDS the marker will not fire is the beam is present. When a ball falls in place it breaks the beam allowing the marker to cycle. Most reflective eyes have problems with dark shelled paints and bolts due to the light being asorbed by the shell or bolt instead of being reflected back to the eye.

After nineteen years in the business you know that ICD will be here for you tomorrow should anything go wrong with your marker. Make sure to get your order in early so not to get caught up in a back order list that is surely coming.

Product Availability

The Indian Creek Designs Freestyle 2004 is older, so while it may be available used and in a few cases new, it is not commonly available anymore.

Intial impression is good.
The pictures on the web really do it no justice. They look much better in person.

As someone stated above I wasnt real impressed with the drop either. A small problem I have is no screw in tanks!!! Everything I own is adjustable so I can going to have to replace the drop as well. ICD might want to look into offering the Freestyle without the drop for people such as myself.

After the outside inspection I called a buddy up to have him bring over his tank so we could play around with it. First impression was a little disappointing. I had somed leaks in the macro fittings and from the bolt assembly itself. It didnt take to long to fix these problems and also gave me a good reason to get some pics of the inside of the marker as well.

After reassembling the marker I noticed the trigger was very stiff. It was to the point that you could pull the trigger and not get it to come forward for the next shot. A little investigating revieled the gripframe screws to be at fault. Unlike the B2K's or BKO's the Freestyles frame can be split in half by removing four screws on the right side of the frame. This gives you access to all the electronics, trigger pivot point, micro switch, etc... Another nice note is the micro switch is now held in place by screws instead of roll pins.

With the marker put back together we decided to gas it up again and adjust the trigger until it was smooth as butter. The trigger has a very nice feel to it, in comparison to the B2K or BKO frame. I noticed little to no side play. The trigger feel much wider than that of the 2K3 frame. One item I did miss was the three selectable pivot points. The Fresstyles frame can be adjustable to two different pivot points but you have to open the frame up to do this.

With the trigger adjusted we started to dry fire the marker. Again we noticed a small problem. The bolt was not recocking all the way. After referring to the owners manual, which now comes on a CD, we determined the LPR to be set to low. After adjusting the LPR the marker started cycling very smoothly and extremely quick.

Enough with the dry firing lets get some paint in that baby!!!
I went through a complete hopper of Nitro Duck First Choice paint without a single chop, while using the PDS. The Freestyle had so little kick I didnt know what to think. I would try to compare it to a Matrix but I am not sure that does justice to the Freestyle. I found myself able to lay ball upon ball upon ball during rapid fire and never have to worry about the marker wanting to walk up. The faster I shot the more the Freestyle screamed for more. I will be taking it out to the field for practice on Sunday and we will see how it does then.

There are two things that I can see I want to upgrade in the near future. The first one as most people probably have guessed is the HPR. I hate regs with gas lines that come out the side instead of the bottom. This really isnt a major problem just more of a personal preferrence. I can report that the new style reg recharged extremely fast and was quite consistant. Over the chrono I was seeing + or - 3FPS. Not bad at all for a completely stock setup. The second item I would like to change is the electronics. The ICD board is quite fast but I would love to see what this baby can do with a Chaos in it.

For those that are looking to get a B2K4 with PDS and happen to wonder if the Freestyle is a good option for about twice the price I am still undecided. There are several advantages to the Freestyle and I am still weighing those out. For those that are looking to spend money on a Timmy, DM4, Angel, EMag, etc.... Make sure you take a very close look at the Freestyle. It has everything to offer that any other marker in this price range has as well as being one of the smallest profile markers I have ever seen.

Upon arrival the marker was meet with several people questioning what it was. People bow down and great your new god, I informed them. Most just laughed until they had a chance to check it out. It was quite funny to see them rip on a bone stock Style and say man that thing shoots as well as my___________________ <------insert any name marker there.

Armed with two Styles I had intentions of passing them around to get the feed back of several players. Before the first game was even started one of them was sold. After the end of the first game the other one was sold, so I myseld didnt get to do the actual testing. I am simply relaying the information that I recieved from both people that purchased them.

Efficentcy.

This was one of the first things I was wondering about when I order these markers from ICD. Without a firm number in hand I wasnt real sure what to expect so we conducted our own tests. These numbers arent exact but should give everyone a good idea of what to expect.

Both markers used a 68/45 tank. Both tanks were filled to 3000psi.
Marker A was running at 200psi with the LPR set just high enough to get the bolt to clear the breech. After a case of paint was put through the marker, not counting dry shoots, we then took our test. This marker shoot 287 before entering the field. It showed 3000psi on the tank gauge. The marker shoot 1 Halo, packed full, and 5 pods. This is approximately 900 shoots. One a full fill that would give us around 1350 shots from a 68/45. After leaving the field the Fill gauge showed 0 psi while the output gauge showed 300psi. The marker was then shoot over the chrono and read 285, 287, 287, 287 and 286. Not bad for a bone stock setup.

Marker B ran the same basic setup but required the LPR to be set a little higher due to tight fit of the bolt to the power tube tip. In turn the HPR was set slightly higher as well. It was around 210 PSI. This yield chrono reading of 289-292FPS. With the marker having a case of paint ran through it and the bottle refilled we found this marker to shoot 1 Halo full and four pods. This is approimately760. This would yield a total of 1145 shoots off of a full 68/45 fill. Marker B's fill gauge, on the tank, was reading 0PSI and output gauge was reading 200psi. It was shooting 260 fps when leaving the field.

Both players stated the marker shoot ball upon ball. Each made the comment that the marker seemed to have a little arch to its ball path that ressembled that of a Matrix.

One person made the comment, " If you want troubles pick anything but an ICD Marker!!!"

Conclusion:

This marker is going to step ICD into the ring with the big boyes now. If you are looking at a high end a electro make sure to add this one to your list of markers to check out.

If its not broken in it might be a little inefficient(when dry firing)

Review:

PROS--------------

Light - it weighs 1.8 pounds man, thats a little less then a shocker. Its the lightest high end gun basically.

Small - its really really small man, 7 3/8 inches long is really small, helps play bunkers tight and switch hands easier.

Super fast- man this gun rips, faster then my friends E2 cocker, and its just so fun to shoot man its really nice. it rips easy, especially for stock. get a nox lite board (25 shipped) and you have a board as good as the DM4's Tadao V5.0 IF NOT FASTER!!!!

Eyes- they work flawlessly, even if you get a barrel break and the paint covers the holes, something about the design alows it to see still - brilliant

kick- this gun literally has no kick, its comparable to the kick of a MATRIX, less then a DM4.

The price ~ man i got mine for 550 shipped New. thats like the cost of a vision impulse. if you want a great high end gun without having to spend 1000+ dollars, go on ebay and check the stores, ive seen new freestyles go for 500 sometimes, ones with HE kit and 05 boards 600 shipped new in box. this is a steal of a deal ICD is awesome

Upgradibility- ok some people may say this gun has no upgrades but theyre idiots ok? watch

Triggers
ICD Prodigy - $30
Vaporworks - $35
CP Dual Bearing Trigger- $??
techna triggers
Acid Customs Triggers - $??
TheBetterOne's (pbnation sn) custom triggers there are several different styles made of delrin they can be magnetic - PM him for prices he now has a website too i think its freewebs.com/bettertriggers

Plus some trigger frames by Acid customs, a sweet 90 frame for 100 bucks with 2 free triggers is coming soon.. so basically board,trigger,bolt,valve,LPR,HPR,barrel, are all upgradable.

looks, its pretty sweet lookin.. looks about 100x better in person. milling is nice, and the anno doesnt rub off like it does on the shocker.

I cant think of anything else to say

CONS-----

Maybe gas efficiency, but they fixed that with the HE kit (high efficiency kit) and most freestyles have those now. 1300 shots per 68/45

Conclusion:

If your choosing between a shocker or a freestyle get the freestyle, its a much better gun at a much better deal. even if you have a 1000 dollars to spend on a gun definitly consider this (or a Naughty dogs freestyle). This gun rips man, it shoots darts stock. if your getting one make sure it has the HE kit, you can get 04 freestyles with the HE kit and maybe some gen2 or 05 parts for 600-610 BRAND NEW with free shipping. dont listen to the low ratings on this gun, these guys are idiots and they dont know how to set their regs, they dont know about the great customer service and they just plain are dumb. GET THIS GUN!!! GET IT!!!

This gun is incredible.
The trigger is fully adjustable, and unbelievably fast / sensitive. This is equal to or faster than any other gun out there.
Never chopped a ball - EVER. Has PDS vision. You NEED a fast hopper to keep up, Halo or empire Reloader B
The gun is so light, so accurate, VERY comfortable to hold.
Over the chrono the Freestyle stays within +/- 3 fps, high pressure reg to easliy adjust velocity.
The gun comes with a cd for instructions, very clear. You can print a manual or watch video of a tech performing general maintenance. Easy to maintain, lube up the o-rings and you're going.
Very low profile, not a better gun out there for snap shooting, my Shocker had a similar low profile, but I sold it after I shot my Freestyle.
Toggle switches are easy any clear, flip up the left switch, turns gun on, flip up right switch, pds vision is on. NO light chirps, no light pulses to distinguish.

The accuracy of this review is disputed. Please see discussion on the comments page.

Period ofProduct Use:

Only tested

12 of 123 people found this review helpful.

PaintballExperience:

More than 5 years

SimilarProducts Used:

various timmys, and shockers

Marker Setup:

empire timmy, empire b,cp reg,68 3000 crossfire,

RecommendedUpgrades:

none, just dont buy this gun

Strengths:

small... thats all I can think of

Weaknesses:

This gun is not reliable at all.
Gas hog.

Review:

out of the box this gun shot fairly well. I was amazed on how quite it was. I threw a halo on it and ripped about twenty balls through it. It was accurate but not all that fast.

the next day I decided to shoot it in the tournament my team is in. the first game it did ok but then started to break paint. I broke paint all day. I took it home and read the manual and fixed it all was is the front reg needed to be adjusted. later i was using it blew up and was leaking air every where. I fixed but it did again. I couldn't figure it out. later my brother's did it to. so I got rid of it and got a empire timmy which hasn't failed me yet

NOX programing
HE bolt
SCM2 or microrock with LPR adapter
new inline (CP, sidewinder, or 2 liter are all good)

Strengths:

Fast
Light
Small
Cheap
No recoil

Weaknesses:

Efficiency

Review:

-out of the box: the pictures on the internet really do the milling no justice, it is truely great stuff. the stock barrel isn't the best (by any means) so i would suggest a new one imediately. i was able to put my hopper, tank, and barrel on, gas it up, and go.

initial use: a common complaint is that the stock inline reg is too short. i found it to be a perfect length for my hand, it fit like a glove. i found the PDS system to be flawless...not a single chop so far (i've only put a couple of cases of paint through it though). the freestyles trigger is really easy to set up very short and sweet, which compliments its incredible speed.

extended use: basicly the same as i said before...just i found out that this thing sucks down gas...i get about 850 shots per 68/45...(but this is great when you are playing rec with an all day air pass...)

Conclusion:

I would definately recomend this gun to anyone who wants the best (for half the price)...

THis gun is great. I played with it the first time on saturday in a tournament. the weather was 20*F and it was snowing and the freestyle worked perfectly. While everyone else was trying to fix their timmys and angels and matrixes I was in the car, warming up. This thing shoots ropes, or at least it would have had my fingers not been frozen. It is also very nice on paint, which was very brittle considering the cold. Midway through the day I turned off the eyes since the ground was very muddy, and so was the gun, buy I still never chopped. I had only fired 50 shots through it previous to the tourney and the regs were fairly constant, seeing as I had not broken the gun in yet i got around +/- 8 fps. Now to the question that everyone is wondering about-efficency. Out of the box I got around 900 shots off with a 68/45 which I am sure will improve once I break the gun in.
This gun is amazingly light, but still sturdy in my hands. I felt no restraint in diving head first into a bunker. The stock barrel preformed very accurately, but still had room for improvement. One or two balls broke in the barrel the whole day, but I am attributing that to the cold. Once a ball did break the shots would go willy nilly, and rarely go where you were aiming. After the day was done you can imagine how dirty my gun was, and on my first day with it. Well cleaning was a breeze. Just take out the screw in the back of the grip frame and you can pull the whole back block off. The main complaint of the freestyle is that the HPR reg is too short. I also thought so until I played with the gun which was very easy in my hands.

My one complaint would be that a couple of times my LPR screw would back out. It wasn't really a hastle since all it took was a couple of turns with an allen wrench. Everyone I talked to said that this did not happen with their freestyle, so if the problem persists I will just get a new LPR. I actually have one more complaint, the side panels detract from the overall look of the gun, I am going to take them off the first chance I get.

Conclusion:

I give this product a 10 because I feel that it has every attribute of a gun that is hundreds more and fits every criteria for everything that I need. Also the only weakneses can be easily fixed.
ICD did a great job with this gun, that is why the Naughty dogs and Russian legion are now shooting it

used to own an impulse, but ive shot and seen everything under the sun.

Marker Setup:

ICD Freestyle

RecommendedUpgrades:

Barrel, HE bolt if it you buy it with it already installed

Strengths:

Speed, Weight, Accuracy, no kick at all, PDS, Price

Weaknesses:

Make sure you know what you're doing when you take it apart, OR ELSE!

Review:

ICD really hit the nail on the head with this one.
-speed- This gun absoluley rips, pumps out paint in a steam only comparable to a super soaker
-accuracy- Totally kills everything. The shot groupings are so tight and theres no kick to make you gun bounce arounf and therefore become in-accurate
-wieght- so unbelieveably light and comfortable in your hand.
-Price- 850 for a gun that rips, has killer accuracy, with awesome milling, electonics, PDS, sweet ano. Can't beat that.
However, becareful in taking it aprt, escpecially the LPR cause its very easy to put the parts back in backwards or out of order if you dont know what you're doing, so look at the manual first and dont do anything stupid.

Conclusion:

This is the best gun out there. Period. there is no better gun and the price on it is amazing. Worth ever single penny you pay for it. Check out countypaintball. com they have the best prices and unmatched service.

It might have good potental if it could shoot more than 5 balls without chopping a ball. from the day that i brought it it has chopped more balls than any of my other markers put together. called them to have parts sent they never came in no one was sure if they ever sent them. so i sent my marker to them to be fixed, after 2 1/2 weeks i got it back, so we aired it up and went to shoot it, well to say that did not go well would be a slight understatment the marker was chopping more balls now it is back again allready been another 2 weeks. the marker came back again, but is being sent right back for the 3rd time, it is leaking from the transfer tube we beleive, but we wont take it apart because we just got it back from them the second time, but here goes the third time now

Conclusion:

un less you are looking for small and does chop this gun is not for you, very un happy withmarker and with custmer serviceif ICD, and if you have a freestyle, the only person at icd who can help you is greg, no one else there can help you he is the only person at ICD who can help with a freestyle, this is what one of the guys down there said when i called to see if they had fixed my gun again,

From the second I bought the Freestyle I've been waiting to wake up. I am I HUGE Indian Creek fan basically because all there markers are fast, quiet, don't kick at all and have fast cycle rates. The Freestyle is like a Shocker and Timmy had sex and out popped the freestyle. It's got the best of both worlds, the break beam, fast, price, milling and comfert of a timmy. Best of all your just not another guy out on the field, your one of a kind. The Freestyle is a god send for anyone the wants a low profile marker that is reliable, quick and
just looks amazing. It's in a league of it's own!!!

Conclusion:

Ofcourse I recommend this thing. The new version is awsome! Don't listen to anyone, if you like Indian creek you'll love this thing, you got my word!!!

This gun just plain ripps and there is no kick to it at all. If you want a gun that will shoot just as good as the others that are more expensive. Then this gun is for you.This gun is tournament quality for sure just add a tank and a fast hopper like a halo and you are ready to send fools to the dead box.I still can't figure out why people are complaining the reg is to small it's not that bad at all.This gun is a serious shooter I think you are going to see alot of these out soon.

Conclusion:

I recommend you take a look at this gun before making any desicions on another gun